Troopers searching for Eric Frein get support from region

A home on Route 447 in Monroe County shows support for the Pennsylvania State Police with a sign in the yard. The manhunt for accused cop killer Eric Frein has reached its fifth week.

A home on Route 447 in Monroe County shows support for the Pennsylvania State Police with a sign in the yard. The manhunt for accused cop killer Eric Frein has reached its fifth week. (EMILY PAINE, THE MORNING CALL)

Jerry LynottOf The Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre

Region shows support for troopers searching for Eric Frein

WILKES-BARRE -- By the orange and black of their jerseys, it was easy to tell David Fatula and his son Gabriel were rooting against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during their Saturday night season opening hockey game against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

But they stood united with the fans of their rivals in support of the Pennsylvania State Police and purchased "PSP Strong" T-shirts as the fundraiser for the families of the troopers shot last month came to the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.

"I'm a firefighter," said David Fatula of Hazleton, wearing a Philadelphia Flyers jersey, the parent club of the Phantoms. "We know the sacrifices firefighters and police officers make every day."

The wives of state troopers began selling the shirts, window decals and wristbands after Cpl. Bryon Dickson was shot and killed the night of Sept. 12 after finishing his shift at the Blooming Grove barracks in Pike County. Trooper Alex Douglass survived, but was critically wounded.

A manhunt has been underway for the suspected shooter Eric Frein and has focused in the woods near his parents' house in Canadensis, Monroe County.

State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan, wearing one the T-shirts, posed for a photo with a young woman near the tent where the items were being sold outside the arena's East Gate.

"It's overwhelming," Noonan said as the line to the tent stretched along the concrete plaza outside the entrance.

It was the first event held in Luzerne County and the biggest to date, said Lisa Kimes of Moosic, one of the eight wives of troopers who started the fundraiser. They came loaded with 4,000 shirts selling for $15 a piece, 600 wristbands at $3 each and 475 decals at $5 each.

In all the sales prior to the arena event, the wives raised $180,000, Kimes said. They did not sell out Saturday, but had a tremendous response, she added.

All the proceeds go to the Dickson and Douglass families, Kimes said. She and the other wives worry about their husbands who are taking part in the search for Frein. The public sales give them a chance to step away for a moment. "It's a way for us to take our minds off it," she said.

Earlier in the day, diners at the Majestic Lunch in Pittston aided the cause. Half of the day's sales went to benefit the troopers' families.

"We can never replace a father lost to his family," Majestic owner Harry Salavantis said, "but we can let those affected know that we truly care about them."

Harry's daughter, Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis was waiting on tables.

"I'm doing what I did when I was younger in a spirit of service I learned from my family," said Stefanie Salavantis as she handed a customer a cup of coffee.

The DA emphasized the camaraderie among law enforcement, county governments, the community and other organizations that made the event possible.

"These men risk their lives every day to keep us safe," said Stefanie. "We now have opportunity to acknowledge that service and to reach out to them."

She lauded law enforcement agencies across the state for their diligent pursuit of Frein.

Luzerne County Sheriff Brian Szumski said it was great to see law enforcement and residents working together.

"This was much more than an assault on two individuals," said Szumski. "This was an offense against all members of law enforcement and those they serve."

Attendees of the event credited the Salavantis family and Majestic Lunch with never hesitating to help when there is a need.

"It is outstanding the Salavantis family came forward to assist the fallen and wounded officers," said Luzerne County Chief Detective Michael Dessoye.

David Santasania, a customer of the establishment for 25 years, said it was a chance to enjoy a delicious meal on a Saturday morning while contributing to a very worthy cause.

"I grew up in Pittston, and residents here are like family to one another and always step up to help when someone is in trouble or has a need," said Joe Lakowski of Pittston Township.

Representatives from various community organizations including the Luzerne County Sheriff's Department, Pennsylvania State Game Commission, Pennsylvania State Police, Pittston Police Department and Leverage Fitness Studios acted as guest servers throughout the day in a show of support for the families affected by the tragedy.